Method and apparatus for refrigerating perishables



June 20, 1939. H. H. GoALs'roNE 2,163,031

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATING PERISHABLES I Filed Jan. 26, 1937@www Patented June 20, 1939 f PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS VFOR.`REFRIGER ATING PERISHABLES Herman Il. Goalstone, DenverQColo., assignorto The National Store Fixture Company, Denver, Colo., a corporation ofColorado Application January 2s, 193'?,I serial No. 122,354

13 Claims.

This invention relates lto a refrigerating method and refrigeratingdisplay cases for perishables, and relates more particularly toartificially illuminated refrigerating cases.

It is a primary object of the present invention to utilize illuminatingmeans with refrigerating means in a display case to produce an improvedhumidity and refrigeration control.

Another object of theinvention resides in combining in a single elementthev functions of a reector and drip pan.

A further object of the'invention resides in di'- recting heated airwithin a show case away from perishable merchandise to insuremaintenance of the merchandise in av properly cooled condition at alltimes.

Other objects reside in novel steps and processes and novel combinationsand arrangements of parts, allof which will appear more fully in the`course of the following description.

In most enclosed display cases `using refrigerating means, thecontinuedoperation of such means usually results in a considerableproportion of the moisture content of the air being deposited onsurfaces within the case in the form of frost, and the circulation ofcold, dry air over perishables in the case produces adrying action onsuch goods lwith deleterious eilects. l

The storage compartments of refrigerated display cases are frequentlyilluminated by concealed lamps located at different positions within thecase. Lighting of this character presents dimculties. Heat generated bythe lamps will have a deleterious effect on merchandise in the casevunless some provision for heat removal is made. t

The top of the case affords the most logical area for location oflights, but is objectionable for several reasons. If the heat from thelights is conducted through the top of the case, it prevents the topbeing used for the storage and display of foodstuffs, and `such top alsomay become overheated to the extent it will Icause injury to personscoming in contact therewith.

` Further, placement of lights in the top of the `case necessitateslocation of the coils of thefrefr'merating system in a position in whichthey will not interfere with the lighting. Again, the top of the caseaiords the best area for location of the coils as the cooled 'air willeffectively blanket all the merchandise as it descends from such anelevated position. I

The present invention utilizes the upper portion of the case for thelocation of the lights and proper light distribution and there is alsoprovided a system of air circulation and heat transfer which constitutesthe humidity and refrigeration control for the preservation ofperishable merchandise.

In attaining the refrigeration and humidity control, the coils arelocated in the uppermost portion of the display compartment, and warmair in the case rises directly to and is acted on by the coils'.VBetween the coils and the lights a. heatconductive element is xed whichserves as a re- `ector for the lights and also as a drip pan for thecoils.

Being a good conductor, the element serves as a heattransfer unit, andthe heat generated by the lamps, instead of spreading through thestorage compartment, is directly and rapidly subjected to the influenceof the refrigerating element and dissipated.

The heat exchange occasioned by the rising wann air, entering throughthe service doors, etc., and the operation of the lamps, is suicient todecrease frosting of the coils', and results in the conversion of frozenmatter to liquid, during the warmer periods of the refrigeration cycles.

This moisture drips onto the pan above the lights and passes slowlyalong the same to a drain at its low end,.and during said movementcontacts a considerable amountv of air being subjected to the coolinginiluence of the coils, with the result that some of the moisture istaken up by the air and subsequently descends with the same to theperishables on display.

The continued circulation of cold air currents across the perishables,particularly meats, causes a heat withdrawal therefrom, which in timereduces the temperature of the meats below the temperature of at leasta, portion of the aircontacting the same, and results in a condensationof moisture thereon.

Thus, we have a situation in which the circulating air, instead ofwithdrawing moisture from the perishables, is supplying moisturethereto, and such perishables may be stored in the case for several dayswithout any appreciable dehydration such as is usually experienced inrefrig-` erating display cases.

To afford a better understanding of the invention, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawing illustrating. structures incurporatingthe several features of the invention, and in whichr Figure 1 representsa broken section, taken along the line l-I of Figure2;

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2 2,-

Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, showing anotherVembodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section i1- lustrating thearrangement and construction of the refrigerating and lighting elementsillustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5, Figure 2 and drawn to anenlarged scale.

The display case illustrated in the drawing embodies the featuresdescribed and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent Number 1,977,056 grantedto MichaelJ. Goalstone, October 16, 1934, together with certain novelfeatures which will be explained in detail. While these features havebeen illustrated in connection with the aforesaid construction, it willbe understood that they are applicable to any display case of thisgeneral type. and the specific construction illustrated in the drawingis referred to merely to show an operative arrangement.

To this end the show case comprises a top 5, a base 6, front wall 1,rear wall 8 and end walls 9. 'I'hese walls preferably comprise twospaced -plates and a layer of heat-insulating material between theplates. Inclined service doors IU are provided in the rear wall 8, andpreferably are the double, sliding type. Windows I2 in the front wall 'Ipermit inspection of goods by customers.

A'partition I3 provides a support for merchandise containers I4, andalso divides the interior of the case into upper and lower stagecompartments I5 and I6 respectively. Service doors I1, which may be theconventional hinged type, permit access to the lower compartment I6.

Electric lamps I8 are provided for lighting the compartment I6 when doorI1 isopened, and preferably are in a circuit which is closed by openingthe door and lis opened by closing the door.

There is also provided a second merchandise support I9 located incompartment I5 at a distance above the containers I4.

A refrigerating element 20 is located beneath the partition I 3 and adrip pan 2|- is provided Ato carry ofi moisture dropping from theelement 2l. The element 20 and pan 2I slope from one end of the case tothe Aother andthe moisture collected by the pan is carried to a point ofdischarge, comprising a drain tube 22.

The construction thus far described is more Vor less conventional, andmay be considerably modified in minor respects. 'I'he essential featuresof the present inventionwill now be described in connection with theaforesaid structure.

`In the upper portion of compartment I5A in proximity to top 5, arefrigerating element 23 extends lengthwise of the case. While anysuitable form of element may be used, I have found in practice thatcirculating coils 23a carrying fins 23h are very effective for thispurpose. 'I'he element is connected with a suitable compressor (notshown) in a manner well known in the art.

A hood 24 extends lengthwise of the case beneath and in proximity to theelement 23, and combines the functions of a reector, a drip pan, a guidefor circulating air, and a supplemental heat exchange element.

A modified construction of the hood is best illustrated in Figure 4, andcomprises a central arched portion 24a and upright sides 24,12. An

essential feature of the hood is that it is a good heat conductor, and ametal of high thermal conductivity is preferably employed in itsconstruction. Good results are attained when the hood is formed of ametallic cover 24e encasing a heat reflecting and moisture proofcomposition 24d. such as Reynolds Metallation, for example.

A channel member 25 is detachably held on the underside of the archportion 24a and houses the wiring 25 required for lamps 21 used to lightcompartment I5.

.connection with wiring 25 and completes the circuit thereto. l

Spring clips 32 project from channel 25 at intervals and support thelamps 21. The clips Vcomprise a disk of insulating material havingspring contacts '29 in which the electrodes (not shown) at the ends oflamps 21 are fitted, the contacts 29 being in conductive connection withwiring 26.

It will be understood that any suitable wiring circuit may be employedand the foregoing is described as a simple and effective arrangementgiving good results. Lamps' 2'I may be removedA and inserted readily forreplacement purposes, and if any break in the Wiring occurs, the chan--nel member 25 together with the wiring may be taken from the case andthe repairs made under proper Working conditions.

The under surface of arch portion 24a serves as a refiector. The lamps2T are concealed from persons standing in front of the case, and apleas-r ing and efficient lighting effect is attained by thisarrangement.

l 'Ihe spaces between the .arch portion 24a and the walls 24h providebasins 33 for moisture collecting'from the elements 23. In order top'revent excessive accumulation of liquid the hood slopes gradually fromone end wall to the other and is provided at each end with .closures 34to prevent escape of liquid from basins 33. At the lower end of hood 24,the basins have outlets l The wiring connections are* adapted to beconnected in circuit through the connected with a drain pipe 22,whichconducts the runoff to a sewer connection (not shown).

The slope ofV the basins 33 is relatively slight to' give the collectingmoisture a slow travel in its passage to the drainv 22. As a result, themois- -ture contacts the dried air circulating over the hood, and someof the chilled liquid vaporizes and subsequently passes with the aironto the merchandise being displayed in compartment I5. This constitutesthe humidity control of the case.

. 'I'he lamps 21 emit heat which is conducted.

along the overhangingsurfaces of hood 24. 'I'he surfaces of the hoodimmediately underneath and exposed to the element 23 are chilled by heattransfer with the element and as these surfaces are also part of thehood, a rapid heat exchangewise warm air entering the case through thedoors I0 or I1 ascends along wally 8 -and passes into the sphere ofinfluence of element 23. From the foregoing it will be apparent thatwarm air at any positionin the case is free to travel directly to theupper portion of the same where it is subjected to the heatexchange'action already described.

In Figure 3 another embodiment of the hood construction is illustrated.The hood |24 is of the same general construction as hood 24 (Figure l)with the exception that the wall I24b is slotted as indicated at |25,the portion of the wall above the slot flaring outwardly to provide a'end of the case, may be connected by passages (not shown) withtheatmosphere, and in this way a circulation of air between the paneswill be effected.

With both arrangements, air warmed by contact with the lamps 21 cannotescape from the enclosure and the heat so generated is dissipated by theconductive action of hood |24. AWhile glass is the preferred compositionfor use as a closure, it will be understoodthat any transparentsubstance satisfactory for the purpose ma be used in place thereof. i

Either the louver arrangement Vor the closure may be used separately,ifdesired, or both may be used in the manner illustrated.

In the drawing the lamps 2l as illustrated are of the tubular type, butitl will be understood that any type of illuminating means located inthe case in the manner described is within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Preferably both the hood. 24 and the channel 25 are detachablyIsuspended or supported'in the compartment I5 to permit separate removal,or`

removal as a unit. .With this arrangement, when repairs are necessary,either or both of these elements may,be removed from compartment I5while the work is being done, without disturbing the refrigeratingaction, as would occur if the doors I5 remained open until the work wascompleted.

Changes and modifications may be availed of lwithin the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the claims. What I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a display case of the character described having a refrigeratingelement in its upper porhaving upright sides, each of the sides formingwith the arch a ybasin therebetween, and the under surface of the archedportion .defining the light-reflector. c

2. In adisplay case of the character described having a lrefrigerati'ngelement in its' upper pore l tion, a combined drip pan andlight-redactor besaid zone during the periods of refrigerant evaponeaththe refrigerating element, comprising a body sloping beneath the elementlengthwise of the case, having a central arched portion and havingupright sides,each of the sides forming with the arch a basintherebetween, and the under surface of the arched portion dening thelight-reflector, and a drain at the lower end of the basin.

3. In a display case of the character described having a refrigeratingelement in its upper portion, a 'combined drip pan and light-reflectorbeneath the refrigerating element, comprising a body extending beneaththe element lengthwise of the case, having a central arched portion andhaving upright sides, each of the sides forming with the arch a basintherebetween, and the under surface of the arched portion defining thelight reflector, one of the sides being slotted to form a louver for thepassage of air therethrough.

4. In a vrefrigerated display compartment, heat-absorbing means in theupper portion of the compartment, a heat-conductive trough elementpositioned below and in proximity to said means and having anair-passage therethrough spaced from its bottom, and a source of lightdisposed adjacent the under surface of the trough element.

5. The improvement in refrigerating display cases or the like, in` whichthe'interior of such case is illuminated by a light source locatedwithin th'e enclosure of the case,l which comprises passing a streaml ofair through a zone therein in heat-exchange relation with a refrigerantintermittently'evaporated to produce a temperature thereof tending tocause a sub-freezing temperature within said zone, illuminating theinterior of the case by the'operation of a light source therein,applying the resultant heat from said source to retard congealing-ofmoisture in said zone during the periods of refrigerant evaporationvandbetween the said periods to melt frost formed during such, periods, andcirculating air through the enclosure over goods -therein and throughsuch heat-exchange zone. l

6. The improvement in refrigerating display 'cases or the like, in whichthe interior of such case js illuminated by a light source locatedwithin the enclosure of the case, which comprises passing a stream`of-air through a zone therein in heat-exchange relation with arefrigerant intermittently .evaporated to produce a 4temperature thereoftending to cause a sub-freezing temperature within said zone,illuminating the interior of the case by the operation of a light sourcetherein, applying the resultant heat from said .source to retardcongealing of moisture in said zonegduring the periods of refrigerantevaporation and between the saidperiods to melt frost formed during suchperiods, and inducing movement of cooled air from said heat-exchangezone onto goods in the case contemporaneously with the movement ofwarmer air from said goods to the heat-exchange zone.

7. The 'improvement in refrigerating display -cases or the like, inwhich the interior of such case is illuminated by a light source locatedwithin the enclosure of the case, which comprises passing a stream ofair through a zone therein in heat-exchange relation with a refrigerantinltermittently evaporated to produce a temperature thereof tending tocause a sub-freezingftemperature within said zone, illuminating theinterior. of the case by the operation of. a light lperishables belowthe upper portion thereof, a

refrigerating element located in the upper portion of the compartmentand adapted for cyclic operation, a heat-conductive hood beneath theelement inheat-exchange relation thereto, and a source of artificiallight at the underside of the 'hood in heat-exchange relation thereto,whereby heat generated at the source of light is utilized to retardformation of frost on the refrigerating element during periods of itsoperation and to melt frost formed on the element between such periods.

9. In a refrigerating display case or the like, a storage compartmentfor perishable merchandise, supports for the storage and display ofperishables below the upper portion thereoffa refrigerating elementlocated in the upper portion of the compartment and adapted forcyclicoperation, a heat-conductive hood beneath the element inheat-exchange relation thereto and provided with a light-reflectingsurface on its underside, and a source of artificial light at theunderside'of the hood in heat-exchange relation there-` to, whereby heatgenerated at the source of light is Autilized to retard formation offrost on the refrigerating element during periods of its operation andtomelt frost formedl on the element between such periods. z

l0. In a refrigerating display case or the like, a storage compartmentfor perishable merchandise, supports for the storage and display ofperishables below the upper portion thereof, a refrigerating elementlocated in the upper portion of the compartment and adated for cyclicoperation, a heat-conductive hood beneath the element in heat-exchangerelation thereto and adapted to contain a liquid on its upper surface,and a source of artificial light at the underside of the hood inheat-exchange relationv thereto, whereby heat generated at the source oflight is utilized to retard formation of frost on the refrigerat'ingelement during periods of `its operation and to melt frost formed on theelement between such periods.

11. In a refrigerating display case or the like, a storage compartmentfor perishable merchandise, supports for the storage and display ofperishables at diierent elevations therein, a refrigerating elementlocated in the upper portion of the .compartment and adapted for cyclicoperation, a heat-conductive hood beneath the element in heat-exchangerelation thereto, and a source of artificial light at the underside ofthe hood in heat-exchange, relation thereto, whereby heat generated atthe source of light is utilized to retard formation of frost on therefrigerating element during periods of its operation and to melt frostformed on the element between such periods.

l2. In a refrigerating display case or the like, a storage compartmentfor perishable merchandise, supports for the storage and display ofperishables below the upper portion thereof, a refrlgerating elementlocated in the upper portion of the compartment and adapted for cyclicoperation, a heat-conductive hood detachably held beneath the element inheat-exchange relation thereto, and a source of artificial light at theunderside' of the hood in heat-exchange relation thereto, whereby heatgenerated at the source of li'ght is utilized to retard formation offrost on the refrigerating element during periods of its operation andto melt frost formed on lthe element between such periods.

13. In a refrigerating display case or the like, a storage compartmentfor perishable merchandise, supports for the storage and display of perfishables below the upper portion thereof, a refrigeratingelementzlocated inthe upper portion of the compartment and adapted forcyclic .operation, a heat-conductive hood beneath the element inheat-exchange relation thereto, a transparent closure at the undersideof the hood, and a source of articial light within the enclosure inheatexchange relation to the hood, whereby heat' generated at the sourceof light is utilized to `retard formation of frost on the refrigeratlngelement during periods of its operation and to melt frost formed on theelement between such periods. A

HERMAN H. GOALS'IONE.

